The Philosophy of Yoga

While talking about the Yoga Philosophy, the first thing that comes to the averagely aware human mind is the Patanjali Yoga philosophy; this stream of Yoga happens to be one of the six systems that forms the basis of Vedic philosophy. Ashtanga Yoga or the Yoga embracing all the eight parts of the body is closely related to Sankhya and Vedantic philosophy and is the practical manifestation of both. Through the philosophy of Astanga Yoga, it becomes possible to understand the nature of the mind; it also explains the different states of existence, the factors that bar growth, afflictions and the methods of control that bring absolute self-realization. However, the story doesn't end here; there are also a plethora of similar texts that deliver their own share of philosophies that match astoundingly with other texts like Hatha Yoga Pradipika and Bhagvada Gita; what we are trying to portray here are the similarities that are depicted by these, as well as the philosophical and practical dimensions of Yoga.

The philosophy of Yoga speaks about three bodies that unite to make an individual; these are the Physical, Subtle (astral) and Causal (spirit) bodies that integrate to bring forth self-realization and helps achieve a life that is useful, contented and balanced. However, to understand Yoga completely, the importance of understanding the six primary Indian philosophical systems or Darshanas and their relation is paramount.

Among the five other philosophical systems, Yoga shares a special link with the Vedanta and the Sankhya system. To be precise, Yoga is a factor that initiates a connection between wisdom and human life. To understand it better, one needs to strengthen the concepts of the four paths (three, according to some) that are equally valid and effective.

The central doctrine of Yoga philosophy states the mind and its consciousness as the ultimate limiting pillars; the philosophy of Yoga thus uproots misconceptions to reach a stage of self realization through certain and regular yogic meditative procedures. The processes withdraw completely the human psyche from all false sources of knowledge, resulting in an inner sense of balanced calm and tranquility. Thus, to understand Yogic philosophy, it is essential to know the different states of the human mind.

The Yogic philosophy speaks about the five mental states and five degrees of distraction: Kshipta (disturbed), Vikshipta (distracted), Mudha (stupefied), Ekagra (concentrated) and Niruddha (absolute balance). Among these, the first three states are considered major bars to healthy growth of mind and are therefore, negative; the next two are regarded as positive and are what people desire.

Next comes the philosophy on the thought patterns; Vritti - s, as they are commonly termed, also consists of five different categories: Pramana (comprehension), Viparjaya (misapprehension), Vikalpa (conceptualization), Nidra (deep sleep) and Smriti (memory); the five Vritti-s are further subdivided into two mental types: Klista, the cause for adversities and Aklista, the factor that eradicates adversities.

The philosophy of all these texts deal with the nature of the soul and the cosmos and their relation; self-realization, as this mystical union is called, matches with the Sankhya philosophy, which describes the three compartments of the human psyche, namely mind (mana), intelligence (buddhi) and false knowledge (mithya jnana). These three stay primarily under the control of the chitta (conditioned consciousness), a calm and peaceful entity; it is the insubstantial surface waves that create the disturbance within. The Sankhya philosophy denotes the two factors that bring about this disturbance: sense perceptions or pramana and memory or smriti, about which, there shall be discussions later.